Minolta AF 70–210mm f/4.5–5.6 II — The $15.15 Lens
(you can buy this for $15.15 if it’s still available) This one was a bit of a surprise. I wasn’t expecting much from Minolta’s inexpensive 70–210mm f/4.5–5.6 II, but after putting it through a real-world test, the results were better than expected. It’s certainly nothing to write home about, and nobody is likely to mistake it for one of Minolta’s legendary lenses, but for a lightweight budget telephoto zoom, it acquitted itself surprisingly well.
This particular copy, serial no. 58513312, is clean, operates properly, and produced perfectly respectable results in my testing.
And now for the gimmick: this actual LensBusters test lens is going up on eBay for $15.15. I’ll list it somewhat higher, but if you find the listing and make an offer for exactly $15.15, I’ll accept it.
Why $15.15? No particularly good reason. It’s a fifteen-dollar lens, and $15.15 seemed more entertaining.
The sample photographs on this page were made with the very lens being offered for sale, so you can judge this particular copy for yourself rather than relying on generic sample images or claims about what another copy might do.
Full res downloadable samples are here: https://www.urbantexture.com/Hidden/LensbustersSamples/n-BhLfNg/2026-10-09-Minolta-AF-70-210mm-f45-56-II-Serial-58513312
| Specification | Minolta AF 70–210mm f/4.5–5.6 II |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Minolta |
| Model | AF Zoom 70–210mm f/4.5–5.6 II |
| Serial Number | 58513312 |
| Mount | Minolta A / Sony A |
| Format | 35mm full-frame |
| Focal Length | 70–210 mm |
| Maximum Aperture | f/4.5–5.6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/22–27, depending on focal length |
| Focus | Autofocus / manual |
| Minimum Focus Distance | Approx. 1.1 m / 3.6 ft |
| Filter Size | 49 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 300 g / 10.6 oz |
| Length | Approx. 93 mm |
| Production | c. mid-1990s |
| Country of Manufacture | Japan — confirmed on this copy |
| Lens Generation | Second-generation 70–210mm f/4.5–5.6 |
| Camera Identification | Camera reports “Minolta AF 70-210mm F4.5-5.6 [II]” |
| Adapter Used | Sony LA-EA4 |
| Lens Serial in EXIF | No — physical S/N 58513312 is not recorded |
| Lens ID in EXIF | Yes |
| Lens Firmware Reported | Ver. 01.000 |
| Lens Character | Lightweight consumer telephoto zoom |
| Not to be confused with | Minolta AF 70–210mm f/4 “Beercan” |